Homeowners turn backyard pools into short-term rentals
CORPUS CHRISTI — As summer temperatures drive residents to seek relief from the heat, a growing number of people in Corpus Christi are trying a different approach: renting private backyard pools by the hour. Platforms like Swimply, often described as an "Airbnb for pools," are allowing homeowners to host small gatherings and short swims without the crowds and logistics of a beach trip.
Nick Thompson, a Corpus Christi homeowner, has listed his pool on Swimply for three years and said the arrangement has become a steady, low-key way to share his space while earning occasional income. This season, Thompson said he’s averaging about one booking per week, with reservations for occasions such as birthday parties and family reunions.
"As opposed to going to the beach, you don't have to deal with the sand, the other people, the chaos that comes with that," Thompson said. "You get your own private setting, free to do what you want, you know, responsibly."
Thompson described a typical large gathering that took place at his pool: a family reunion of roughly 30 people that used the backyard for a private celebration. He said such events — and shorter visits for small groups — are the primary use cases for guests who prefer a contained, private environment over public beaches or community pools.
Why some hosts and guests prefer private pools
Hosts point to several practical advantages when they list their pools, including:
- Reduced exposure to sand and crowds compared with a beach trip
- Convenience of a localized, private setting for celebrations
- Supplemental income from otherwise idle backyard space
For Thompson, the decision to rent the pool was prompted by a recommendation from a family friend. He acknowledged that it took time to decide, but after listing he and his family have continued to improve the backyard to make it more attractive to renters and to their own children.
Local awareness and potential hurdles
Thompson said Swimply remains relatively unknown in Corpus Christi and that raising awareness is the primary challenge for local hosts who want more bookings. He suggested that spreading the word about the platform locally could encourage more homeowners to participate and more visitors to try private pool rentals.
While Swimply provides an online marketplace for short-term pool rentals, potential hosts and renters should consider local rules, homeowner association regulations and safety responsibilities that come with operating or using a private pool. The concept shifts some recreational activity away from public venues to private properties, which can change how residents and visitors use neighborhood amenities.
| Detail | Reported by homeowner |
|---|---|
| Time renting on Swimply | 3 years |
| Average bookings this summer | ~1 per week |
| Example large group | ~30 people |
Private pool rentals may also affect local leisure patterns. For families seeking more controlled environments — particularly those with young children or guests who prefer to avoid crowded public spaces — the option offers an alternative to beaches and community pools in and around Corpus Christi. That could mean small boosts to neighborhood-level spending if guests choose to bring catered food, rent inflatables or otherwise enhance their private gatherings.
As with any sharing-economy service, the long-term footprint in Corpus Christi will depend on how well the model scales, how local residents and neighborhood associations respond, and whether more homeowners decide the benefits outweigh the responsibilities. For now, some hosts like Thompson see it as a way to share their backyard with neighbors and out-of-town visitors while making use of a space they already enjoy.
"Why keep a good thing to ourselves?" Thompson said, noting that sharing the space has allowed others to enjoy a private, comfortable setting without the hassles of a public trip to the beach.
